The main reason we brush our teeth is to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that grows on their surface. Plaque bacteria feeds on the particles of food that we consume every day, allowing acid build-up around the teeth. The acid build-up then leads to cavities. Bacteria also causes bad breath.
At least twice a day – before bed, and in the morning. An ongoing area of disagreement is whether you should brush before, or after, breakfast. It depends on what you have eaten.
Brushing protects against gum disease, but it’s the fluoride in toothpaste that prevents tooth decay. Because of the foods we eat, our teeth are constantly demineralising and remineralizing; if fluoride is present during the remineralisation process, it gets incorporated and strengthens the teeth. For this reason, adults should look for a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350ppm fluoride, and steer clear of alternatives such as bicarbonate of soda, which are too abrasive to be used for tooth-cleaning.
Using a fluoride mouthwash straight after brushing is fairly pointless: you’re flushing away fluoride and replacing it with more of the same. Where it can come in handy, however, is in topping up fluoride levels in between brushing your teeth– particularly if you’re at high risk of cavities.
Plaque accumulates between the teeth, as well as on their surfaces, and this is difficult to remove using a toothbrush alone. The risk here is gum disease, which in its early stages manifests as bleeding when you brush.
Sugar-free chewing gum is generally a good thing for teeth. For one thing, it stimulates saliva production, which buffers the acid that erodes teeth. It can also help dislodge particles of food from the teeth.
It suggests that children under the age of 18 should see a dentist at least once a year, because their teeth tend to decay faster. For adults who are not experiencing any problems with their teeth, though, every 24 months should be adequate.
Fluoride for your teeth can be acquired from several sources such as toothpastes, specific fluoride applications and perhaps fluoride added to the water by your local municipality. Fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay. An easy way to ensure that fluoride is used to its maximum effect is by supervising your child while brushing their teeth. You should make sure that they do not rinse but spit out the toothpaste, and that they don't swallow it either.
Although most people brush regularly, many don't clean between their teeth or their technique may be incorrect. Also some people don't visit the dentist regularly. A few small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference in the long term. Your dental team can remove any build-up on your teeth, treat any gum disease that has already appeared or pick up any problems during a routine check-up. However, daily dental care is up to you, and your main tools are the toothbrush, toothpaste and interdental cleaning (cleaning between your teeth)
Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria (germs) constantly
forms on the teeth. When it is not removed by not
brushing properly and not having a cleaning done
at the dentist, it can harden into calculus. When
calculus forms it becomes harder to brush and
clean well between teeth. That buildup of plaque
and calculus can harbor bacteria that lead
to gum disease.
There are four main criteria required for caries
formation:
Thus if the plaque with the bacteria is not removed
it feeds on the carbohydrates from the food and
drink in your mouth and produces an acid which
attacks the tooth surface over time.
